Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 86168 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86168 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
“Can I just say how happy I am about all the improvements you’ve made around here?” She sits down at the table with us while dinner finishes. “Seriously, this place was falling apart.”
“Happy to do it.”
“Can’t be bringing you in any more money. You know, since you gave everyone a break on their rent.” Her eyebrows raise and she glances at me. “What are we paying now, by the way?”
“Nothing,” Stellan answers for me.
Which is news. “I thought we agreed on a reduced rate?”
“My future wife isn’t going to pay rent in her own apartment building.”
I let that sink in. I glance at Gem and her lips are pressed together, her head tilted, clearly studying Stellan and trying to get a feel for him.
I’m doing the same damn thing.
But he’s got a point. If we really are getting married, that means what’s his is mine. Assuming there’s no ironclad prenup.
“This is really happening then.” Gem rubs her hands together. “It’s really fast, you know?”
“Your sister is very convincing.”
I snort and nudge him with my elbow. “More like you begged me over and over.”
“I wouldn’t use the word beg, more like confidently persuaded.”
“Why the rush though?” Gem ignores our playful banter. “I mean, why not move in together for a while? Get to know each other?”
“This works better for us,” Stellan says, watching her carefully, and I’m nervous he’s about to tell Gem the truth—that he’s a criminal and I’m selling myself to him in order to buy Gem a future.
“Pretty vague answer. How is it better, exactly? Neither of you are claiming to be in love, so I’m guessing it’s some kind of arrangement?”
“Gemmy,” I say gently. “Do we need to do this right away?”
“She’s perceptive.” Stellan doesn’t seem to mind that she’s challenging him, which I was nervous about. For how smart she can be, Gem’s not the type to back down. “And you’re right. It’s an arrangement. One that works for everyone.”
She shifts in her seat. “How, exactly, does that work?”
“Your sister can tell you if she feels that you need to know. But I’ll say this, and believe me, I’m not talking lightly.” He watches Gem, his face tightening into an intense stare. “I promised Kira that I’d take care of both of you, and I will. No matter what. I can’t say my life is always simple and that I’ll always be around, but you two will never want for anything again. Not if I can provide it.”
They stare each other down. I swear, it’s like an old Western gunfight, except one side is a hardened mafia criminal, and the other side is a teenage girl.
Gem finally breaks out in a big grin. “Well, if Kira’s happy, then I’m happy.”
“And I’m happy,” I say quickly, relieved that the interrogation seems to be over. For now, anyway. “Should I serve the salad?”
“I’d be happy to help,” Stellan offers.
But Gem waves him away. “No, dinner’s on me tonight. I’ll pour the wine too.”
“None for you!” I call out as she walks away. I watch her back for a beat before turning back to Stellan.
He’s watching me intently. I can’t tell what he’s thinking. Finally, he reaches out and lightly touches my hand. “She really is smart, isn’t she?”
“Now you’re starting to get it.”
“That’s why you’re killing yourself.”
“Gem’s worth it.”
“Admirable,” he says softly. “But also stupid.”
I pull my hand away. “Stupid? Excuse me?”
“You’re no use to her if you’re a shell of a woman.” He leans back, arms crossed, a dark grin on his face. “Lucky for you, I’m in the picture now.”
“Yeah, I feel so lucky,” I mutter.
Gem returns with more wine, and Stellan starts asking her questions. He engages with her answers, talks to her about high school, even admits that he dropped out in tenth grade. “I wasn’t the best student in the world,” he admits.
“I find that hard to believe,” my sister says, laughing as she refills his glass. “I bet you had great grades.”
“When I decided to show up to class, but that was less and less often.”
“He’s a bad example,” I cut in. “Don’t get any ideas.”
“No ideas here. My path is already set. Besides, who wants to end up like him? Buying apartment buildings just to get closer to some random waitress?”
Stellan bursts out laughing. I pull back in alarm. Have I ever heard him laugh like that before? But he seems genuinely amused as Gem heads back into the kitchen and plates dinner.
I don’t know how it’s happening, but they’re getting along. They even joke back and forth. Gem makes jokes, and Stellan doesn’t seem to mind, which is mind-boggling.
I’ve never been more attracted to Stellan than I am right now.
After Gem’s shockingly good meal is done and the cheesecake is all but demolished, I find myself out in the hallway with Stellan while Gem insists on cleaning up. The charming smile and laughter are gone from his eyes. It’s like he morphs back into the hardened monster I’ve known and hated.